Backing-strip-applying machine.



W. L. JAGOBIE.

BAGKING STRIP APPLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED mo. 27, 1905.

Patented June 7,1910.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. L. JAGOBIE.

BAGKING STRIP APPLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 27, 1905.

Patented June 7, 1910.

e slums-sum 2,

inv'n wiwrzessesr W. L. JAGOBIE. BACKING STRIP APPLYING MAQHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED 1330.27, 1905.

Patented June 7, 1910.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

.ZZi-L-rces 565 I WM JMM W. L. JAGOBIE.

BACKING STRIP APPLYING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED DEC. 27, 1905.

Patented June '7, 1910.

W. L. JACOBIE.

BACKING STRIP APPLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 27, 1905.

960,332., Patented June 7,1910

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

W. L. JAG OBIE. BACKING STRIP APPLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 27, 1905.

Patented June 7, 1910.

6 SHEETS-SHEBT 6.

Letters Patent ofthe United States granted WALTER L. J'AGOBIE, OF GLENS FALLS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO CHARLES W. JACOBIE, 0F GLENS FALLS, NEW YORK.

BACKING-STRIP-APIPLYING MACHINE.

Application filed December Specification of Letters Patent,

27, 1905. Serial No. 293,509.

Patented June 7, 1910.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER L. JAooBIn, a citizen of the United, States, residing at Glens Falls, in the county of Warren and State of New York, haveinvented. a new and useful Improvement in B'acking-Strip-Applying Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a machine for applying binding or backing tapes, bands or strips of cloth or similar material to the backs of books, pamphlets, tablets, pads &c. which for convenience will hereafter be referred to generally as blanks. A machine for this purpose is shown and described in to myself, May 3, 1904, No. 758,657. r

The construction of the machine shown in this patent issuch that the blanks pass vertically or on-edge through the machine,

'which construction doesnot permit of feeding the blanks to nor discharging the same from the machine in the most desirable manner.

The object of the present invention is the production of an improved machine of this character in which the blanks pass in a horizontal osition through the machine so as to avoi the above stated objection and in which the pasting of the strip, the application thereof to the blank, and the severing of the strip between the adjacent blanks is effected more reliably, efficiently and expeditiously.

In the accompanying drawings consisting of 6 sheets: Figure 1 1s a top plan view of my improved backing strip applying machine. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional top plan View of the mechanism whereby-the an enlarged scale, showing the relative-position of the backing strip and the blank when the same are first brought together. Fig. 8 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, of the former or edge turner showing the manner in which the edges of the backing strip are bent over the opposite sides of the blank. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section, showing the means whereby the edges of the for deflecting long blanks in order to permit the cutter to sever the strip between adjacent blanks. Fig. 12 is a front elevation of the same. Figs. 13 and 14 are fragmentary vertical sections, on an enlarged scale, in line 13-13 and 14-14, Fig. 1, respectively. Fig. 15 is a vertical cross section in line 15-15,

Fig. 1. Fig. 16 is a rear elevation of the mechanism whereby the adhesive is applied to the backing strip. Fig. 17 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 18

is a diagrammatic top plan view, showing the manner 1n which several blanks are connected by the backing stripand the foremost one is deflected to permit the severing blade to enter between the rear end of the foremost blank and the next following one. Fig. 19 is a fragmentary perspective view of the trip mechanism which controls the operation of the strip cutter. Fig. 20 is a fragmentary end view of the same. Fig. 21 is a fragmentary top plan view of the same. Fig. 22 is a vertical longitudinal section in line 22-22, Fig. 21. Fig. 23 is a vertical cross section in line 28-23, Fig. 3, on an enlarged scale,

showing the clutch of the trip mechanism and adjacent parts. Fig. 24 is a-fragmentary rear view of the same. Fig. 25 is a fragmentary cross section in line 25-25, Fig. 1. Figs. plan views of the mechanism which controls the operation of the cutter.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

.In its general organization, the machine comprises means for applying paste to one side of the strip; means for guiding the paste coated strip to the place where the operator feeds the blank against the strip; means for feeding the blank forwardly and ressing it back against the strip; means or turning or folding the opposite edges of the pasted strip toward opposite sides of the blank and pressing orsmoothing the same out thereon; means for deflecting the foremost blank out of its normal course; so as to form a gap between the same and the 26 and 27' are two fragmentary top effected.

I applying device which, is best shown in 1, 6,16, and 17 and constructedas follows:

next following one into which the band cut- I ter enters; means for severing the strip be-' tween adjacent blanks; and means for intermittently stopping the forward feed of e the cutting operation is the blanks whi For compactness, the devices for applying the paste to the strip are arranged in rear of the mechanism which applies the strip to the blank. The strip a which is to be applied to the backs of the blanks A may consist of any suitable material, but a woven fabric is the material most generally used.

This strip is supplied from a roll A mounted on a mandrel or'core a on the rear part of'the frame and passes thence to the aste igs.

B represents a pot, reservoir or rece tacle containing glue, paste, or other ad esive' plroper temperature t ing chamber and the same is held in place by ceiving and delivery sides of the pasting means of a latch B" ivoted at its u per. end p on the glue ot an provided at its lower end with a s otted head which receives the shank of a clamping bolt b on the heating chamber.

12 represents the glue delivery wheel which rotates with its lower part in the glue contained in the pot-B and is pivotally supported by means of an axle or shaft 12 the ends of which are journaled invslotted bearingsformed in lugs b which rise from the glue pot on opposite sides .of the delivery wheel. a I

c 0 represent twoguide rollers which are arrange transversely adjacent to the rewheel 12 and below the uppermost part thereof. The backing strip passes from the supply roll A forwardly underneath the front guide roller 0, thence upwardly and downwardly offer the upper side of the paste wheel b and thence underneath the-rear guide rollerc. For convenience in threading or drawin these wheel in starting the machine and, also to 1 ermit of readily dismembering these parts" or cleaning and other purposes, each of these rollers is journaled at its ends on a pair of arms'c the arms of both rollers on the same side of the paste wheel 6 projecting toward each other and being secured to the upper end of the adjacent supporting In I) by a thumb screw a The guide r0 ers 0 0 are supported in their lower operative position preparatory to being secured ,in place by stops or pins a rising the backing strip between guide ro lers and the paste delivery from the glue pot and engaging with the arms 0 near their outer ends.

, 0 represents a scraper on blade which engages with the front side of the paste wheel immediately. below the place where the backing strip is fed upon the same and which serves to remove the surplus luefrom the periphery of the paste wheel be ore the same engages the backing. strip. This scraper is secured to a transverse rod or bar 0 which is supported at its ends on the adj acent part of the glue pot. In order to pre the front guide roller to the paste wheel,.

therebyinsuring proper application of paste to the strip. 1

After the backing strip leaves the rear guide roller 0 the same passes with its pasted undersideor surface over a. scraper (c which is formed on the upper edge of .achute 0 leading into the rear part of the paste pot. The surplus paste on the backing strip is removed by the scraper c and delivered by the chute back into the glue In order to hold the backing strip down on the scraper 0 a retaining roller 0 is provided in advance of the scraper c which roller is journaled in brackets o secured to the heating chamber and bears against the upper side of the strip, as shown in Fig. 16. From the roller 0 the backing stri passes around a horizontally rotating gui e wheel D on the main frame, whereby a quarter twist is produced in the strip in passin from the pasting device to said ide whee Upon leaving the guide wheel ing strip passes through a curved guld'e D with its pasted side facing forwardly. This guide preferably consists of upper and lower channels 03 d which have their open sides facing each other and which have short the back- I front flanges and wide rear flanges which latter are adjustably connected by means of bolts d secured to one of the rear flanges and passing through vertical slots (1 1n the rear flangeeof the-other channel as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 13. This permits of adjusting the height of this guide to the width of the backing strip which is being applied to the blank. The guide D is supported by means of brackets or arms (1 secured to its lower section and connecting the same,

with any suitable stationary part of the machine but preferably'with a horizontal feed table E which isv-arranged in front of this guide and upon which the operator successivelyplaces the blanks preparatory to.en-

gaging the same with the backing strip. After the backing strip leaves the curved guide D it passes another guide E consisting of a lug e projecting rearwardly from from the lug e and supporting said strip at its back, a collar 6 adjustably secured to the upper end of the post by means of a set screw 6 and engaging the upper edge of the strip and pins 6 prO ecting upwardly from the lug e and downwardly from said collar in front of said strip as shown in Figs. 1 and 13. This last-mentioned guide holds the strip exactly in the position which it should occupy when engaged by the blank to which the same is to be applied.

In order to control the backing strip between the front section of the back guide and the former, a guide E is provided at this location which operates and is constructed substantially like the guide E1 and the same description and letters of reference will therefore apply to both.

F F represent the front and rear sections of a back guide or gage bar along which the backing strip moves with its uncoated rear side during the operation of applying the same to the back of the blank which is bearing against the strip at this time.' As the pasted backing strip passes from the guide F/ over the front section F of the back guide, the operator places a book, pamphlet or other blank fiatwise upon the feed table E and pushes the same with its back against the pasted front side of the strip which is supported by the front section of the back guide, whereby the central part of the strip is attached to the back of the blank while its upper and lower edges or marginal portions project above and below the blank, as shown in Fig. 7.

In order to cause the backing strip to-be drawn tightly and uniformly against all parts of the back of the blank as the latter a vertical deflector roller is applied thereto, f is arranged upon the main frame immediately in advance of the front section F. of the back guide in such position that its front end is slightly forward of the face of said guide, whereby the backin stri is held out of contact with the section 0 the back guide at the front end thereof when not engaged by a blank, thereby sustaining the backing strip in a loose condition which enables the same to adapt itself freely to the back of the blank when the same is shoved against the strip by the operator. i

As the operator pushes the blank onthe table so as to engage the back thereof with the pasted backing strip the blank is' also moved forwardly over a horizontal supporting roller f and between upper and lower horizontal feed rollers G G, the arrangement of the rollers f" G G being such, the blank is engaged bythem only in front of its rear longitudinal margin.

The supporting roller f is arranged horizontallyand at such an angle relatively to the back guide sectionsthat the plane of the face of said uide and the plane of rotation of said roller converge forwardly or .in the direction in which the blanks move,

whe'reby the blanks in moving forwardly,-

are carried laterally toward the right of the line of movement against the back guide section F, thus insuring a proper en agement of the blank with the pasted si e of the strip. The supporting roller f is secured to the upper end of a bracket or arm 2 which is adjustably secured to the adjacent stationary part of the frame by means of a bolt f passing through a slot in said arm, as shown in Fig. 3.

The axis about which the feed rollers Gr,.

G rotate and the face of the back guide are arranged at such an oblique angle relatively to each other that the blank is constantly pushed laterally against the back ide at the same time that it is being prope led for- /wardly.

As the blank'enters between the feed rollers G G the same is fed forward to the devices which fold or turn the upper and lower marginal portions or edges of the backing strip toward opposite sldes of the blank and cause these parts to be drawn out smoothly and firmly against the blank. For

I this purpose the upper and lower edges of the backing strip are first folded or turned partially toward opposite sides of the blank y a former or edge turner H as shown in.

Fig. 8. This former is arranged in a gap or space between the back guide sections and consists of a lower vertical roller h havin a tapering upper side, an upper vertical ro ler h facing the lower roller h and having a lower tapering end, and a central vertical spindle, 71, projecting upwardly from the lower roller into a central opening in the upper roller, as shown in Fig. 8. The opposing tapering ends of the turning rollers and the eriphery of the spindle form the sides and bottom of an inwardly-tapering roove on-the former which receives the backing strip and the back portion of the blank. As the strip and blank enter this groove, the back of the blank and the central part of the strip engage with the bottom of the groove while the upper and lower edge portions engage with the beveled upper and lower sides of said groove, whereby these ed e portions of the stripare turned or folde the blank. As the blank andstrip advance, they rotate the former by frictional contact with its groove,.so that the former engages successively with all portions of the strlp and folds the edges thereof toward successive blanks. The lower roller or section. 72. of the former is preferably journaled at its lower end on a bracket h secured to partially toward opposite sides of? the adjacent stationary part of the frame.

' duced.

The upper section or roller is adjustable Vertically on the shank to permit of varying the size of the forming groove to suit the thickness of the blanks to which backin strips are to be ap lied. The upper anc l lower sections or ro lers of the former are compelled to turn in unison, althou h capable of axial adjustment with re erence to each other by means of a spline h connecting the upper section with the spindle, as shown in Fi 8.

In order to adjust the width of the groove in the former H simultaneously with the .rollers on opposite sides "of the path of the blanks and backing strip, the upper roller 11. of the former is coupled with the slide by means of a finger k secured to the slide andengaging with a peripheral groove h in the upper part of the upper turning roller, as shown in Figs. 3, 6 and 8.

After the marginal or edge portions of the backing strips have been turned partly toward opposite sides of the blank, the movement of these edge portions against the blank is completed by a pair of cooperating upper and lower finishing or smoothing rollers I I which engage with the edges of the backing strip immediately in rear of the former, as shown in Fi s. 1, 3, 5 and-'9. These rollers are yielding y held in engagement with the edges of the strip by means of upper and lower rock arms, 2', 2" supporting the upper and lower finishing rollers, respectively, upper and lower horizontal arbors 2' uponwhich these arms are pivoted and springs i interposed between the arbors and said arms and operating to turn the latter constantly in the direction for moving the finishing rollers into the path of the backing str1p. The axis about which the finishing rollers rotate and the face of the back gulde are arranged at such an oblique I angle relatively to each other that the finish-.

ing rollers are caused to exert a lateral pull. upon the edges of the backing strip from the back of the blank toward the front edge thereof, whereby all parts of the strip are drawn tightly against the blank and a smooth and even finish of the same is pro The lower finishing roller I is somewhat wider than the upper roller I, so as to serve as a support for the blank and stri in addition to finishing the application of t e strip to the blank.

At the same time that the finishing rollers are exerting an outward pull upon the backing strip, the blank is pushed inwardly, so as to hold its back firmly against the back guide by"means ofalower oblique retaining roller J supporting the blank on its underside beyond the backing strip, and an upper oblique retaining roller J bearing against the u poear side of the blank above the roller J an yond the upper edge of the backing strip. The' axis of the lower retaining roller 'so as to offset or counteract any tendency of the finishing rollers to move the back of the blank away from the back guide bars F F. If desired, the n per retaimng roller J may also be arrange at the same angle as the lower retaining roller J but it has been found in practice that it is not necessary, and the same has therefore been so mounted that its axis is parallel to that of the-front feed rollers G G and therefore exerts a less pronounced lateral moving effect on the blank than the lower retaimng roller J. The retainingrollers are held yleldingly in contact with opposite sides of the blank by means of upper and lower-arms j y" ivoted loosely upon'the upper and lower ar ors i and springs j interposed between these arms and their respective arbors and operating to move the same 'yieldingly into the path of the blank.

After the blank and strip have cleared the finishing and retaining rollers, the blank is received between a pair of upper and lower horizontal'feed rollers K K" which feed the same forward over a stationary delivery table L. These rollers are arranged at the same angle as the feed rollers G G and operate to press the blank and strip against the back guide while feeding the same forwardly. This action of the feed rollers G G, K K and retaining rollers J J to hold the back of the blank against the back guide is further supplemented by an L- shaped presser bar M which is arranged adjacent to the front longitudinal edge of the blank and has a lower horizontal portion 11?, which supports the underside of the blank, and a vertical outer portion m which engages withthe outer edge of the blank. This presser bar is yieldingly moved toward the back guide bymeansof transverse guide rods m projecting from the outer part of the presser bar through brackets m springs m inter osed between said brackets and the outer si e of said presser bar and operating to move the bar inwardly, and stops m arranged on the guide rods and,adapted to bear against the outer side of said brackets for limitin the inward movement of the ban The front end of. the presser bar is beveled or rounded, as shown in Fig. 1, in order to direct the front end of the blank past the same. q

For permitting the resser bar M to be adjusted laterally to di erent sizes of blanks the brackets m are connected with the feed and delivery tables EL by bolts 01' screws m arranged on said tables and passing through slots in saidbrackets, as shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 6. In its normal osition this presser bar is arranged slightly 1nside of the path of the blank and is deflected outwardly so as-to clear the path of the blank by the table adjacent to a blank to the strip it is necessary for-the 4 front end of the blank engaging with the screw 0 journaled at its upper end in a same whereby said bar exerts a constant lateral pressure against the blank while the same is in engagement with'the back guide.

It has been found in ractice that the operator, in the absence 0 any provision to the contrary, is liable to. present the blank in a slightly tilted position to the backing strip and feed rollers and thus cause the backing strip to "be applied out of center or irregularly to the blank. To avoid this a guard bar N is provided which is arranged horizontally and lengthwise over the feed its inner side. In feeding operator to shove the back edgeof the same over the table and underneath this guard bar in order to bring the same into engagement with the paste coated backing strip and in moving the blank forwardly with the strip until the blank is within the control of the front feed rollers G G the operator is prevented by the guard bar from tilting the blank, thus insuring retention of the blank in its proper position relatively to the backing strip and preventing imperfect workmanship. As theblank leaves the rear feed rollers K K the same is held down in place upon the delivery table by means of a spring finger N side of the backing strip and a retaining roller N bearingagainst the top of the blank in front of the backing strip. The retaining finger N is secured to the bearing of the upper rear feed roller K while the retaining roller N is mounted on an arm N which is pivoted on the slide 0 and pressed downwardly by a spring N, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 15. The guard bar N is also secured to this slide by means of an arm n so'that the space between the underside of 1 the same and the top of the feed table is adjusted simultaneously with the other parts mounted on the slide for adapting the machine to different thicknesses of blanks.

The bearings in which the shafts g of the lower feed rollers G K are journaled, thelower arbor i carrying the lower finishing and retaining rollers I J and the bracket f carrying the initial supporting roller 7" are mounted on the lower stationary part of the main frame; but the bearings in which the shafts g 70 of the upper feed rollers G K are journaled and the upper arbor 11 supporting the upper finishing and retaining rollers I .1 are mounted on a vertically movable slide 0 so ,as to permit the space between the rollers on opposite sides of the path of the blanks and the-backing strip-to be varied in accordance with the thickness of the blanks. This slide moves vertically in guide ways formed on the adjacent part ofthe main frame and its vertical adjustment together with the parts mounted thereon is effected by means of a vertical bearing against the upper bearing 0 on the stationary part of the frame while its lower end engages with a screw nut 0 on the rear side of the slide. A spring '0 surrounds this screw between the upper side of the bearing o 'and a hand wheel 0 applied to the upper end of the screw. The spring is sufficiently stiff that it ordinarily forms practically a rigid abutment for the hand wheel to bear against, so that upon turning .the screw in one direction or the other, the slide and the parts mounted thereon will be raised and lowered. The slide is so adjusted to each particular thickness of blanks that when the latter enter between the upper and lower rollers of the machine the slide and the parts mounted thereon will be lifted by the blank passing between the upper. and lower front feed rollers and these parts remain in this position as long as the operator continues to feed the blanks to the machine. When the feeding of blanks ceases, the slide and parts mounted thereon drop slightly as the rear edge of the last blank clears the rear feed rollers. During this slight drop of the slide, jarring of the machine is prevented by the interposition of the spring 0" between the bearing 0 and the liand'wheel 0 This construction also permits of slight variations in-the thickness of the blanks without affecting the operation of the machine. For ease in adjusting the slide, the weight of the same and connecting parts are counterbalanced by means of a vertically swinging rock lever 0 pivoted on the upper stationary part of the main frame and connected with one of its arms by means of a link 0 to said slide while its other arm is provided with a weight 0 as shown in Fig. 3.

P represents the main driving shaft of the machine which is arranged horizontally and lengthwise in the rear art thereof and to which power may be app l able way but preferably bymeans of pulleys p p arranged at the rear end of the shaft and adapted to receive a driving belt. Near its front end this driving shaft is provided with a friction inion p which'engages'with the face of a riction disk or wheel 1) secured to the rear end of the shaft 9' which supports the lower represents a lower intermediate gear wheel j ournaled on the rear side of the main frame and meshing with gear pinions p p on the shaft g of the lower front feed roller and the shaft itof the lower rear feed roller K.

Q, represents a vertical shaft journaled in bearings on the stationary part of the main frame and operatively connected with the horizontal shaft 9 by a plain of intermeshing bevel gear wheels 9, as s own in Figs. 5 and 6. q represents an upper intermediate gear wheel "ournaled on the rear side of the slide 0 and meshing on opposite sides with gear pinions g g on the rear ends of the shafts front feed roller G. 10*

iedin any s'uit- 9 Jo which sup ort the upper feed wheels G K. The sha t g of the upper front feed i wheel is provided 'at its rear end with a bevel gear wheel 9 meshing with a similar wheel 9 which is splined on the vertical shaft Q. As the slide is raised or lowered for adapting the machine to difierent thickness of blanks, the splined gear wheel 9 shifts its position on the vertical shaft accordingly without disturbing the driving connectlon between the upper feed rollers and the main shaft.

In the operation of ap lying the strip to the backs of the blanks, t e operator places the front of each blank near therear end of the receding blank, so that the several blanks orm practicall an unbroken or continuous surface and t e blanks issue from the rear feed rollers thus connected. As the rear edge of eac blank passes beyond the delivery table L a cutter R enters between following lank into which the cutter can enter freely and be guidedthereby to the backing strip which it is to sever. This deflecting d6V1C6- in case comparatively short blanks are being bound by backing strips consists of a roller or wheel Z adapted to bear against the upper side of the blank near the front longitudmal. ed e thereof, the plane of rotation of this do ecting roller and the plane of the guide face on the back guide converging forwardly, whereby the foremost blank upon being en aged by this roller is caused to be shifte obliquely rearward. The position of the foremost blank relatively to the succeeding blanks is indicated in Fig.

18. The deflecting roller Z is free to move up and down and ada t itselfto blanks of varying thickness, an is drivenby means of a rear transverse shaft Z "ourna'led in a fixed bearing on the main ame, a front oblique shaft Z carrying the deflectingroller Z a universal'joint L connecting the front shaft Z and the rear shaft Z, a bracket Z" provided with a vertical guide slotthrough which the oblique shaft passes and a dr1ving belt Z passing around pulleys Z Z on the f rear ends of therear shaft Z and the shaft is of the upper rear feed roller and also around the roller of a pulley block Z con-' nected by a spring Z with the'main frame and serving as a belt tightener, as shown in Figs. 1, 10 and 25. 1

a disk which rotates in a vertical plane and .1s mounted on a hub or sleeve 1" arranged When blanks of considerable length. are operated'upon by this machine, the deflecting roller l and its driving mechanism are removed from the machine or rendered inv :operative, and a supplemental roller Z? is ar-' ranged obliquely eitherzat the rear end of the receiving table, as shown in full lines in Fig. 11, or .on the front side thereof near its rear end, as shown by dotted lines in. the same figure. In either case the plane of rotation of the deflecting roller .1" and that of the guide face on the backv guide converge forwardly, causing each blank as it moves forwardly in engagement-with the upper side of the roller 1* to. be deflected laterally rearward so as to form a ga between the rear end of the foremost lank and the next following one. fleeting roller Z is used, thesame is not ro-- tated by power but it is turned simply b contact withthe underside of the blan When a dewhich moves over the same, the friction between these parts being increased by place in a rubber facing on the'periphery of the do cting roller Z? as shown. -When the deflecting roller Z is arranged at the rear end of the receiving table, it is mounted on a laterally projecting lug 1 at the rear end of a longitudinal bar Z which is adjustably v secured to a bracket Z on the underside of p the receivin table. When this roller is to be used on t e front side of this table near the delivery end thereof, said roller is pivoted on a bracket Z which is adjustably; secured to the bar Z by means of a thumbscrew Z or otherwise, as shown in Figs. 11'

and 12.

The preferred form of cutter consists of arallel with the line of movement of the lanks. This hub is journaled on ahorizontal s indle R arranged on the*upper end of a lin .r" which has its lower end pivoted on the front end of a rockarm 7' The rear end of .the latter is hung loosel on the main shaft. Motion is transmitted rom the main shaftto the cutter by meansof a belt 7- 'passing around a drivin pulley r on the main shaft and small pul eys 7" mounted on the pivot connecting the rock arm and the link,

a large pulley 7-9 also mounted on said pivot and operatively connected with thesmall ulley r, and a belt 1' passin around the arge pulley rt, and'a small pul ey 1 formed on the hub of the cutter. The central of the'link r is connected by a cran or wrist Fin 8 to a disk 8' arranged at the rear end 0 a horizontal countershaft S which is journaled on the front part. of the main frame below the'blank supportin and propelling mechanism. Durlng eac -rotationart I I of this shaft, its crank 8 moves the cutter upwardly and rearwardly between two ad-' jacent b anks and crosses the strip between the same so that it issevered and then recedes again into a position below the path of the blanks to permit of feeding the same forward another space or length. For this purpose, the countershaft is rotated intermittently and remains at rest while the cutter is retracted a sufficient length of time to permit one step of the feeding operation of the blanks to take place, this retractedposition of the cutter being indicated in Fig; 15. In order to permit the cutter to pass freely betweenthe blanks regardless of any slight variation in the location of the gap between the same, the hub of the cutter is mounted on the spindle B so as to be capable of a limited lengthwise movement therein. The hub is yieldingly held in its foremost position against the link 1" by means of a spring s interposed between the rear end of said hub and a head a atthe rear end of said spindle ae shown in Figs. 3 and 4. If this cutter in enterin the gap between two adjacent blanks shou d engage with the front edge of the second blank the same would be deflected toward the backing strip which is to be severed during which deflection the spring .9 yields the required extent .without disarranging the driving mechanism of the cutter; The weight of the rock arm r and the parts mounted-thereon is counterbalanced by a spring R connecting this arm with the main frame, as shown in Fi 15, thereby relieving the crank s from un ue wear.

The mechanism whereby the cutter is moved intermittently back and forth across vthe backing strip is so constructed that this movement is efi'ected automatically and occurs whenever the joint between two adjacent blanks reaches the severing position clutch face t and is adapted to be coupled with or uncoupled from the countershaft by a clutch collar or sleeve T which is splined on the countershaft and provided on its rear side with a toothed or clutch face t which is movable lengthwise into and out of engagement withthe clutch face of the pulley t.

' '2? represents a spring surrounding the countershaft between the rear side of the longitudinally movable clutch and the adjac'ent bearing of the countershaft and tend- .1ng

constantly to move said clutch collar into engagement with the driven pulley t. The'longitudinally, movable clutch sleeve T 'main rame, so. as to be is held in its retracted or inoperative position by means of the rear arm of a bifurcated clutch lever T which straddles the clutch sleeve and which is adapted to engage by its rear arm t with the side of an uncoupling pin 17 The lever is pivoted at its up er .end on' the adjacent part of the capable ofswinging transversely of the countershaft. A spring t connecting the front arm of the clutch lever with thejadjacent stationary part of the frame tends constantly to swing such lever rearwardly but this movement of said lever at the time the cutter is held in its inoperative position is prevented by means of a longitudinal and horizontally movable locking or stop block a which engages with the rear side of this lever. This stop block is guided in a bracket on the adjacent part of the main frame and is-connccted by a locking rod or bar it with the central part of an upright rock or trip lever U the connection between said bar and lever being adjustable by means of screws a arranged on the rear part of the bar and bearing against opposite sides of a rearwardly projecting pin u? on the lever; The trip lever is pivoted at its lower end on'the stationary part of the frame and its upper end is pivotally connected with a horizontally and longitudinally movable carriage or slide a which is guided on a stationary longitudinal-rod a below the path of the blanks. This guide rod is supported in a U-shaped bracket U which is arranged in a longitudinal slot formed by dividing the delivery table into two sections, as shown in Fig. 21.

it represents a rocking frame or yoke which is capable of swinging vertically on the guide rod'u in a direction transversely of the movement of the blanks and which is provided with lugs if which straddle the slide or carriage of so as to compel the frame and carriage to move lengthwise together on the guide rod 10' but permitfthe frame or yoke to rock vertically independent of the slide. g

u represents a spring which connects the trip lever U with the bracket U and wh ch constantly tends to move the trip lever U, the

' carnage a, the yoke u and the locking bar 11. backwardly in the direction of the full arrow in Fig. 19, so as to retain the locking block a in the rear of the clutch lever T so that the latter in turn engages with the side of the detent or uncoupling pin t on the clutch sleeve and holds the latter in its re tracted or inoperative position.

V represents a Segmental trigger secured to the front end of the yoke and adapted to engage with the the same is moved forwardly past the trigger. This trigger together with the yoke are constantly turned by a spring '0 in the direction for raising the trigger into-the front edge of each blank as path of the blanks. The downward movement of the trigger and its yoke are efiected by means of a trip or rock shaft v'journaled lengthwise in a stationary part of the frame and provided at one end with a short trip arm '0 which is arranged in rear of the clutch lever T and at its opposite end with a long angular trip arm a)? which engages with a depending finger c on the yoke.

While the body of a blank is passing over the trigger the latter and its yoke are held in 'a. depressed position but the instant the joint between the foremost blank' and the next following blank re isters with the trig ger, the latter is raised y the spring '0 into this joint so that it engages with the shoulder presentedby-the front end of the second blank. Durin the continued forward movement of the b anks the trigger, yoke, oarriage, rocklever, shifting rod and locklngblock are moved forwardly with the blanks. When these parts have moved in this direction sufliciently to. move the locking block out of engagement with the rear side of the clutch lever T the latter is instantly pulled rearwardly'by the spring tl, thereby disengaging the detent arm if from the detent or uncoupling pin t and permitting the'spring t to push the clutch sleeve into engagement with the driven ulley t. The countershaft is now operative y connected with the driving mechanism, whereby this shaft is rotated in the direction of the arrow and the cutter is carried across the gap between .for causing. its angular arm 4) to engage the depending finger c on the yoke and turn the same downwardly so as to disengage the trigger from the front edge "of the second blank and move the same out of the path thereof.

' '0. represents a restoring pin, lug or cam, arranged on the clutch-sleeve and adapted at the end of one rotation of the countershaft to engage with the front arm 23 of'the clutch lever T and move the latter forwardly so as to bring its rear or uncoupling arm t into the path of the uncoupling pin t on the clutch sleeve. This uncoupling arm is provided with an inclined face or cam '22 and shoulder v at the lower end of said inclined face, as shown in Fig. 24. After the pin or cam 'v has engaged the front arm of the clutch lever and shifted the latter forwardly, the inclined face on the rear .arm of this lever stands in the path of the uncoupling pin f so that the latter by engaging this incline is moved rearwardly together-with the clutch sleeve and disengagesthe same from the clutch face of the driven pulley t thereby arresting the further rotation. of the countershaft at the time when the cutter has been retracted below the ath of the blanks, as shown in Fig. 15. I the momentum of the parts should tend to rotate the countershaft and the 'clutch sleeve connected therewith after such an uncoupling has been effected,

the continued rotation of the clutch sleeve i and the parts connected therewith is positively' arrested by the uncoupling pin it engaging with the'shoulder c on the rear clutch arm, as shown in Fig. 24.

The instant that the clutch arm i has been moved forwardly the spring a moves in Fig. 3,'so as not to interfere with the next following backward movement of the clutch lever when released by the locking block.

At the same time that the clutch lever is moved forwardly, the trip shaft '11 is turned in the direction of the dotted arrow in Fig. 19 by the preponderating wei ht of the am gular arm v? thereby moving the free end of this last mentioned arm out of the path of,

the fin er a, so that the yoke and trigger when ree can be again raised into an elevated position by the spring; '0.

Ordinarily when the blan s are presented with perfectly square corners or front'ends to the trigger, the latter will be held in a depressed position by the under side of the blank from the-time the trigger clears one joint and the blanks have been fed forward until thenext. joint is presented to the trigger when the same is again elevated by j the spring-o forjtripping the cutter controlling mechanism. It has been found. in

practice however that the front ends of the 1 lanks are sometimes irregular and present more than one shoulder in the form of steps;

Thisoccurs most fre uently when covers are applied to opposite'sldes of the books, pads, or tablets, and the lower cover becomes disto the contrary, would not only engage with the first shoulder which it reaches and trip the cutter mechanism, but would immed1- ately ascend and engage with another following shoulder of t cutter mechanism to be tripped again, thereby causing another operation of the cutter. This cutting operation would be repeated as many times as shoulders are resented to the trigger at the front end of t e blank, which e blank and cause the placed lengthwise. Ina case of this kind i the. trigger, in the absence of any provision finger first rises and gether surface of the latch with games results not only producing imperfect work but it is also liable. to injure the mechanism. For the pur ose of avoiding this, means are provided or retaining the trigger after it has been once depressed in this position a sufficient length of time until the front'end of the blank has safely cleared the trigger and the same is no lon r liable to engage with any extra shoul ers on the same. This is effected by means of a vertically and transversely swinging latch 11 which is pivoted on the underslde of the bracket U and yieldingly held in the path of the finger o by means of a sprin 42 As the yoke and trig er are depresse ,the eflects the latch until it clears the same and then the latch is car ried by the spring 0 into the path of the finger, so that the latter is retained in its elevated position and the trigger in its depressed position, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 20.. The trigger and yoke are retained in this position until the same have been carried backwardly by the spring a towith the carriage and other parts until the finger has cleared the front end of the latch at which time the fingen-is re: leased and the spring 4) is again permitted to elevate the trigger into engagement with the underside of the moving blank ready to enter the joint, gap or space between the same and the next blank. The engaging which the finger engages is of such length that the front end of the blank safely clears the trigger before the latter is again liberated. The retaining finger N and roller N hold the blanks down so that the same cannot jump over the trigger V but are compelled to engage the front side thereof and thus operate the cutter controlling mechanism. The rotation of the countershaft S is preferably arrested while the crank s is on the front side of the shaft and nearly horizontally in line therewith, as shown in Fig. 15, whereby thecutter is enabled to enter promptly between the blanks and sever the strip connecting the same.

i In order to hold the parts in this position while the cutter mechanism is at rest and prevent the weight of the link 1 and parts connected therewith from turning the countershaft backwardly after bein uncoupled from the drivin mechanism a etent device is provided wh1ch preferably consists of a spring pawl S arranged on the main frame and engagin with a shoulder S on'the periphery of t e crank disk 8'.

While the cutting of shown in Fi s. 1, 2, 5, 6 and 10 and is con structed as ollows: '.Primarily,'the connect1on between the blank and strip feeding upper part ,of the rock shaft bolt w secured to the elbow arm w an the backing'strip is being done, the forward feed of the blanks each rotation of the cutting operatlon of the backing strip has not: a. W

mechanism and the driving mechanism is effected by moving the friction pinion p laterally into and out of engagement with the face 'of. the friction disk or wheel 20 For this purpose the bearing end of the driving shaft adjacent to the pulleys 1), 2 is pivoted in a bracket W on the main frame so as to be capable of oscil lating or swiveling in a horizontal plane while the bearing w at the front end of this shaft and adjacent is pivotally mounted on a horizontally movable slide w which is guided on the adjacent part of the main frame. 'w represents an upright rock shaft journaled in bearings on the rear-side of the frame and provided at its upper w, w at right angles to each other. On the 4.0 is. also loosely mounted an elbow lever one arm w of which is connected by a. link w with the slide supporting the the upper rock arm w of the shaft 'w by a passing loosely through the upper rock arm 20* and a spring to surroundmg the bolt w between its head and the arm w and tending constantly to press the arms w 10 toward each other. X'represents a horizontal shipper rod which is guided transversely in the lower part of the main at itsfront end with a shifting head mwhich .is arranged adjacent to the clutch sleeve.

This rod is connected in rear of the frame with the arm 11: at the lower end of the rock shaft 'w and also with the main frame by means of a spring :0 which tends constantly to move the shipper rod forwardly. I I

m represents a shifting pin or cam arranged on the rear end 0 the clutch sleeve adjacent to its periphery and adapted to shift the rod X by engaging with the head thereof.

While the operation of cutting the backing strip is being effected and the clutch sleeve is in its rearward position and coupled with the driven is disengaged thereby permitting the shifting rod forwardly, cry of its head is arranged in rear of the clutch sleeve as shown in Fig, 27 which movement of the shifting rod causes the rock shaft to to be turned in the direction for moving the main driving shaft P and its friction pinion awa from the friction wheel by meansof the intermediate devices which connect the rock rom the shifting head a, spring m to, pull the shifting rod and the driving shaft, thereby causing the movement of the feeding rollers to be arrested. During the last portion of the countershaft and after been effected by the cutter mechanism, the

w at the rear so that/ the. periph-" to the friction pinion p 4 and lower ends with rock arms bearing to while its other arm to is yieldingly connected with frame and provided ulley t the shifting pin 00 shifting pin :0 engages with the head of the shifting rod X and pushes the latter rearwardly so that the face of the shifting head is inline with the periphery of the clutch sleeve at the time this sleeve is retracted by the cam face or incline of the arm t, thereby causing this sleeve to be moved in front of the shifting head and engage its eriphery there with as shown in Fig. 26 t e shifting rod X is positively held in its rearward or retracted position. a

In moving the shifting rod rearwardly, the driving shaft P is moved forwardly by means of the intermediate connecting mechanism, thereby engaging the friction pinion with the friction disk or wheel and causing the blank feeding rollers to resume their operation. The link w is preferably constructed in the form of a turnbuckle so as to permit of adjusting the friction pinion relativelyto the friction wheel. The throw of this shifting mechanism is preferably so adjusted that the friction pinlon bears against the friction wheel before the rearward move ment of the shifting rod X has been completed, which causes the spring to which I yieldingly connects the arms w to be compressed. By this means a yielding pressure of the friction pinion against the friction wheel is produced and the necessity for a fine adjustment of these parts is'avoided. The parts remain in this position until the blanks have been fed forwardly another space and the next joint between the two adjacent blanks has arrived at the strip severing position, when the clutch sleeve T is againreleased by the trigger controlled trip mechanism and moved forwardly into engagement with the driven pulley t by means of the spring t when vth1s occurs the rear I end of the clutch sleeve clears the shifting head as thereby permitting the spring :0 to move the shifting rod forwardly and causing the friction pinion to be moved rearwardly out of engagement with the friction wheel by the intermediate connection between the shifting rod and the driving shaft. In order to permit the friction pinion to engage the friction wheel with a firm a thrust roller y which is mounted on the adjacent part of the main frame. At the same time that the friction pinion is disengaged from the friction wheel, a brake is applied to the latter for causing the blank feed mechanism to stop promptly.v The preferred constructionof brake for this pur pose shown in Figs. 2 and 6 consists of abrake head Z pivotedvertically on the rear part of the main frame and provided with twojaws z 2 arranged on opposite sides of the lower part of the friction wheel, a rock arm 2 projecting forwardly from the brake A head and provided with a cam face 2 which channe grip the --wheel is supported in;rear of'said pinion by is engaged by a'pin or'lug'z on the. lower rock arm and a spring 2* operating to hold this brake arm yieldingly in contact with said pin. During the forward movement of the shifting rod X, the pin a engages with the cam face of the brake arm and turns the brake arm and turns the brake head so that its jaws engage with opposite sides of the friction wheel, thereby arresting the rotation thereof at the same time that 'the friction pinion is disengaged therefrom. During the backward movement of the shifting rod,

the pin 2 moves toward the base of the cam posite sides of said wheel, movable arms supporting said rollers at opposite ends and the arms at the corresponding ends ofthe rollers projecting toward each other and clamping screws whereby said arms are secured to lugs on said pot, substantially as set forth.

2. A machine for applying a backing strip having a guide for the strip which consists of two channels arranged with their open sides facing each other, and means for adjustably connecting the .rear flanges of said channels, substantially as set forth.

3. A machine for applying a backing strip having a guide for the strip which consists of two channels arranged with their open sides facing each other, and means for adjustably connecting the rear flangesof said ranged on one of said channels and passing through slots in the other channel, substantially as set forth. Y

.4. A machine for applying a backing strip having a guide for the strip which consists of a post, a lug supportingthe lower cndof said post, a collar adjustably secured to the upper end of the post, and pins arranged on said lug and collar in front of said post and projectlng toward each other, substantially as set forth. f

5. A machine forapplying a backing strip to a blank comprising means for propelling a blank,'means for feeding a strip in a flat condition against the back of the blank, means for coating the inners'ide of the strip with an adhesive before the same reaches the blank, preliminary folding means for turning the edges of the strip from their consisting of a clamping bolt ary l straight position into an angular position and partway toward opposite sides of the blank, and comprising two rollers having inclined faces which diverge toward the blank and engage with the opposite edges of the strip, and a final folding means independent of the preliminary folding means for com,-

-, pleting the turning of the edges of the strip axial adjustment one relatively against opposite sides of the blank, substantially as set forth.

6. A machine for applying a backing strip to a blank comprising means for propelling a blank, means for feeding a strip in a fiat or straight condition against the back of the blank, means for coating the inner side of the strip with an adhesive before the. same reaches the blank, preliminary folding means for turning the edges of the strip from their straight position partway toward 0 osite sides of the blank, said preliminary fiilding means comprising two roller sections having their opposing ends tapered and, capable of but compelled to turn together, and separate final folding means for completing the turning of the edges of the strip andpressing the same against opposite sides of the blank, said final folding means comprising two rollers arranged in rear of the preliminary folding means, substantially as set forth.

7. A machine for applying a backing strip to a blank comprising propelling rollers engaging with opposite sides of the blank, means for supplyin and coating a strip with adhesive, an a justable slide'support ing the propelling rollers on one side of the path of the blank, an edge turner for bendlng the edges of the strip toward opposite sides of the blank and consisting of two roller sections, a fixed support on which one of said sections is pivoted, a coupling arm or fork arranged on said slide and engaging with an annular groove in the other section and a shank arranged axially on one of said sections and engaging with an axial opening in the other section, substantially as set forth. I

8. A machine for applying a backing strip to a blank comprising blank propelling rollers having horizontal axes and engaging with opposite sides of the blank, a back guide for the blank and strip having two sections which are separated by a gap, and an edge turner arranged in said gap and constructed-to bend the edges of the strip toward opposite sides of the blank, substantially as set forth.. N

9. A machine for applying a backing strip to a blank comprising blank propelling rollers engaging with op osite sides of the blank, strip pressing rdllers engaging with opposite sides of the strip, rock arms suppor tmg said strip pressing rollers, and sprlngs operating to. turn said arms in the strip to the other direction for moving the strip pressing rollers against opposite sides of'the strip, substantially as set forth. I

10. A machine for applying a backing strip to a blank comprising blank-propelling rollersengaging' with op osite sides of the blank, strap-pressing ro ers engaging with opposite sides of the strip, blank-pressing rollers bearing against opposite sides of the blank adjacent to the strip-pressing rollers, rock-arms supporting said pressing rollers, and springs operating to turn said arms in the direction for moving said pressing rollers against opposite sides of the and blank, substantially as set forth.

11 A machine for applying a backing strip to a blank comprismg horizontal feed rollers, a back guide bar adapted to be engagedby the back of the blank and a front presser bar having an upright'flange for engaging the front edge of the blank and a horizontal flange for engaging the underside of the blank, and means for holding the frontpresser bar yieldingly in position consisting of guide rods projecting laterally from said vertical flange, brackets in which rods are guided and springs interposed be tween said brackets and said upright flange,

substantially as set forth.

, 12.- A machine for applying a backing strip to a blank comprising blank propelling rollers arranged above and below the path ofthe blanks, the shafts of'the lower rollers are journaled,

a verticall movable slide carryin bearings in which t e shafts of the upper rollers are journaled, a vertical -adjusting screw engaging at its lower end with a nut on said slide a bearing on the stationary part of the frame in which. the unthreaded part of said screw turns, and a spring surrounding said screw between said bearing and a hand wheel on said screw, substantially as set forth. -V

13. A machine, for, applying a backing strip to a blank comprising blank propelling rollers arranged above and below the path of the blanks, fixed hearings in which the shafts of the lower rollers are j ournaled, a vertically movableslide carrying bearings in which the shafts of the upper rollers are journaled, a counterbalancing lever pivoted on the stationary part of link connecting one end of said slide, and a weight other arm of said lever, forth.

14. A machine for applying a backing strip blank-feed table, horizontal blank-feed rollers arranged above and below the path of the blanks in rear of said table, a vertically said lever with substantially as set adjustable slide carrying the upper feed connected with the fixed bearings 111 which i the machine, a

to a blank comprising a horizontal lengthwise above the table and connected with said slide, substantially as set forth.

15. A machine for applying a backing strip to a blank comprislng means for feeding the blanks, means for supplying the strip and attachin the same continuously to a plurality of blanks arranged end to I end, means for deflecting each blank laterally as it reaches the foremost position relatively to the remaining blanks forming a' gap between the same and the next following blankand a cutter operating to enter said gap and sever the strip connectin the adjacent blanks, substantially as set orth.

16. A machine for applying a backing strip to a blank comprising means for feedto, a plurality of ,19. A machine for applying path of said bla 'followin and sever the strip connecting .the

same, su stantially as set'forth.

17. A machine for applying a backing strip to a blank comprising means for feeding the blanks,. means for supplying. the

strip and attaching the same continuousl to a lurality of blanks arran ed end to en a de ecting roller arranged obliquely in the path of said blanks and adapted to be engaged by each blank as the same reachesthe foremost position relatively to the remain ing blanks whereby this blank is deflected laterally, a vertically movable shaft 'carrying said deflecting roller, a drivin shaft,

and a flexible connection between said driv ing shaft and said roller shaft, substantially asset forth. v 18. A. machine for applying a backing strip tea blank comprisingmeans for feeding the blanks, means for'supplying the strip and attachin the same continuously ilanks' arranged end to cutter movable transversely end, a rotary between adjacent blanks for severing the strip connecting the'same a transversely movable support'provided'withan arbor on which said cutter'is pivoted, and a ring whereby said cutter, is 'yieldingl .he d on the front part of said' arbor', su stantially. as setforth. a backing strip to a blank comprisln a nkv-feeding mechanism, astrip attaching mechanism' a cutter movable transversely between adjacent blanks for severing the strip connecting the same, a link supporting said cutter on one of ends, arock'arm connected I with the other end of said link,3-and a crank around one pulley of said pair and t cutter, substantially as set; forth.

connected with the central part of said link, substantially as set forth.

20. A machine for applying a backing strip to a blank comprising a blankfeeding mechanism, afstrip attachingi mechanism, a rotarycutter movable transversely between adjacent blanks for severing the strip connecting the same, a link on the upper end of which the cutter is pivoted, a-

rock arm pivotally connected at its front end with the lower end of the link, a driving shaft upon which the rear end of said rock arm is pivoted, a pair ofconnected pulleys mounted on the pivotal connection between the rock arm and link, a pulley secured to the driving shaft, a belt plassin e pu ley of the driving shaft, a pulley secured to the cutter, a. belt passing around the other pulley of said 21. A machine for applying a backing strip to a blank comprising a b ank feeding .mechanism, a strip attaching mechanism, a

rotary cutter movable transversely between adjacent blanks for severing the strip vconnecting the same, a link on the upperend' of which the cutter is pivoted, va'rock arm pivpair and the pulley of said i otally connected at its front end with the Y which the rear end of said rock arm is pivoted, a pair of connected pulleys mounted on the pivotal connection between the rock arm and link, a pulley secured to the drivin shaft, a belt passing around one pulley o said pair and the pulley of the driving shaft, a pulley securedto the cutter, a belt passing around the other pulley of said pair and the pulley of said cutter, and a shaft 'a crank connected withthe central having part of said link, substantially as set forth. 22; A machine for applying a backing stri to a blank. comprising a blank feeding mec anism, a strip attaching mechanism, a rotary cutter movable transversely between adjacent blanks for severing the strip con-' 'necting the same, a link on the upper end ofwhich the cutter is pivoted, a rock arm piv- .otally connected at-its front end with the .lower end of the link, a driving shaft upon whichthe rear end ofsaid rock arm is pivoted, a pair of. connected pulleys mounted on the pivotal connection between the rock arm and link, a" pulley secured to the driving shaft, abelt passing around one ul- -lower end of the link, a driving shaft upon 4 be t passing around the other pulley of said pair and thepulley of said cutter, arotary shaft, a disk arranged on said shaft and having a shoulder, a crankconnectin said disk with the central part of said 1111 and ley of said pair and the pulley of the riv- -in a shaft, a pulley secured to said cutter, a

a detent spring secured to a stationary part and adapted to engage said shoulder for preventing backward movement of the disk and the parts connected therewith, substantially as set forth.

23. A machine for applying a backing strip to a blank comprising-means for feed-' strip connecting the same, a shiftingmech anism for said cutter, a driving mechanism for said shifting mechanism, a clutch for coupling and uncoupling said shifting and drivin mechanisms, a trigger adapted to enter etween adjacent blanks and to be moved lengthwise thereby, and means controlled by the longitudinal movement of the trigger and operatin to couple said clutch, substantially as set orth.

24. A machine for applying a backing strip to a blank comprising means for feeding the blanks end tb end, means for supplying the strip and attachingthe same continuously to the backs of said blanks, a transversel movable cutter adapted to enter between a j acent blanks and sever the strip connecting the same, a shifting mechanismfor said cutter, a driving mechanism for said shifting mechanism, a clutch for coupling and uncoupling said shifting and driving mechanisms, a trigger operating to engage with the front end of each blank and to be moved lengthwise thereby, a clutch lever controlling said clutch, a locking block adapted to engage said lever and hold the same in position for opening said clutch,

and means operating to transmit the forward longitudinal movement of said trigever and closing the clutch, substantially as set forth.

25. A machine for applying a backing strip to a blank comprising means for feeding the blanksend to end, means for sup-l plying the strip and attachin the same continuously to the backs of said blanks, a transversely movable cutter adapted to entie'r between adjacent blanks and sever the strip connecting the same, a shifting mechanism for said cutter, a driving mechanism-for said shifting mechanlsm, a clutch for coupling and uncoupling saidshifting and driving mechanisms, a trigger operating to engage with the front end of each blank and to be moved lengthwise thereby, a clutch-lever controlling said clutch, a locking block adapted to engage said lever and hold the fame in position for opening said. clutch,

means operating to transmit the forward -,longitud1nal movement of said trigger to said locking block for releasing said lever and closing the clutch, and meanscontrolled by said lever and operating to depress the trigger out of the path of the blank and .tinuously ge'r to said locking block for releasing saidv clutch face, shaft and provided with a clutch face for co- 'ver in its open position,

hold the same in this position until the front end of the blank has cleared the trigger,

substantially as set forth.

' 26. A machine for applying a backing strip to a blank comprising'means for feeding the blanks end to end, means for supplying the strip andattaching the same conto the backs of said blanks, a transversely movable cutter adapted to enter between adjacent blanks and sever the strip connecting the same, a shifting mechanism for said cutter, a driving mechanism for said shifting mechanism, a clutch for coupling and uncouplingsaid shifting and driving mechanisms, atrigger movable transversely into and out of engagement with the front end of each blank and also lengthwise therewith to a limited extent, a spring operating to move the trigger transversely into engagement with the front end of the blank, a transversely movable clutch lever controlling said clutch, a locking block which holds the clutch lever in position to open the clutch, means operating to transmit (the. forward longitudinal movement of the trigger to said block for releasing said,lever and closing the clutch, and means operating to transmit the releasing movement'of said clutch to said trigger for, moving the same transversely out of engagement from the front end of the respective blank, substantially as set forth.

27. A machine for applying a backmg strip to a blank comprising means for feeding the blanks end to end, means for supplying the strip andattaching the same continuously to the backs of said blanks, a retary cutter adapted to move transversely between adjacent blanks and sever the strip connecting the same, a link supporting said cutter, a shaft provided with a crank con nected with said link, a driven wheel mount: ed loosely on said shaft and provided with a a clutch sleeve splined on said 0.

operating with that ofthe driven wheel, a

spring tending to move the clutch sleeve for- \V ward for closing the clutch, a transversely movable clutch lever having a rear arm and a front arm,- a clutch releasmg pinarranged on the clutch sleeve and ada ted to engage an incline on said rear arm or openlng the clutch, a restoring pin arranged on the clutch sleeve and adapted to engage with said front arm for shifting the clutch lever lnto engagement with the" releasing pin so as to open the clutch, a spring tending to move the clutch lever into its closing position, a locking block adapted to hold the clutch lea trigger movable transversely into and out of engagement -with the front ends'of the blanks and also lengthwise therewit h to alim'ited extent, a

rocking and reciprocating yoke carrying said trigger, a spring operating to turn the yoke.

and trigger in the direction for bringing the latter into the 'path of the blanks, 'a rock lever connected with said yoke and with said locking block, a spring operating to move the rock lever and connecting parts back- 'wardly, a rock shaft having one arm arranged to be'engaged by the clutch lever .during its releasing movement and another arm which operatively engages said yoke for turning the same so that the trigger is retracted. out of engagement from the front end of the respective blank, and a latch arstrip to a blank comprising a feed mechan ISII]. for propelling the blank and strip, a

cutter mechanism for severing. the strip between adjacent blanks a friction wheel operatively connected with said feed mechanism, a 'drlving shaft provided with afriction pinion, a countershaft connected with said cutter mechanism, a clutch arranged between sald drlvlng shaft and countershaft, and

means for operatively engaging said friction wheel and pinion and the members of said clutch alternately, substantially as set forth. I

29. A machine for applying a backing strip to a blank comprising a feed mechanism ,for propelling the blanks and strip,- a cuttermechanism for severing the strip between adjacent b anks, a friction wheel op-.

- eratively connected with said feed mechanism, a driving shaft provided with a frict1on pmion, a counter shaft connected with said cutter mechanlsm, a drlven ulley mounted loosely on said countershaft and operated "from the driving shaft, a clutch sleeve splined on the counter shaft and movable into and out of engagement with said driven pulley, a shifting pin arranged on the end of said sleeve, a shifting rod provided with a head adapted to be moved backwardly by said pin and to be held in this'position by the periphery of said sleeve, a spring operating to move said rod forward when its head is released by said sleeve, and intermediate mechanism connecting said shifting rod and driving shaft for causing the friction pinion and" wheel and the members of said clutch to be operatively engaged alternately, substantially as set forth.

30. A machine for applyin a backing strip to a blank comprising a eed mechanism for propelling the blanks and strip, a cutter mechanism for severing the strip between adjacent blanks, afriction wheel operatlvely connected with said feed mechanpropelling the bla ism a driving shaft proyided with a friction I I pinion, a countershaft connected with said cutter mechanism, a driven pulley mounted loosely on said countershaft and operated from the driving shaft, a clutch sleeve splined on the countershaft and movable into and out of engagement with sald driven pulley, a shifting pin arranged on the end of said sleeve, a shifting rod provided with a head adapted to be moved backwardly by said pin and to be held in this position by the periphery of said sleeve, a

spring operating to move said rod forward when its head-is released by said sleeve, an intermediate rock shaft provided with two fixed rock arms, one of which is connected with said shifting rod, an elbow lever mounted loosely on said rock shaft and having .one of its arms yieldingly connected with the other arm of said rock shaft and a link connecting the other arm of said elbow lever with a laterally movableb'earing in which said driving shaft-is journaled', substantially as set 'forth.

- 31. A machine for applyin a backingstrip to a blank comprisin a fee mechanism for propelling the bla and strip, a cutter mechanism for severing the stripbetween adjacent blanks a friction wheel operatively connected with said feed mechanism, a driv'- ing shaft provided with a friction pm1on,'

a countershaft connected with said cutter mechanism, means for operatively engaging said friction pinion and wheel and said clutch members alternately, and a brake constructed toengage said friction wheel when the friction inion is disengaged therefrom, substantia 1y as set forth.

32. A machine for applying a backing strip to a blank comprisin. a feed'mechanismfor s and strip, a cutter mechanism for severing the stripbetween adjacent blanks, a friction wheel operatively a connected with said feed mechanism, a driving shaft provided with a friction pmion,

a countershaft connected with said'cutter we A mechanism,- a driven pulley mounted loosely onsaid countershaft and operated from the driving shaft a clutch sleeve splinedon the counter shaft and movable into and out of ing pin arranged on'the end of said sleeve, a shlfting rod providedwith a head adaptengagement with said driven. pulley, a shift- 5 ed to be moved backwardly by said pin'and Y to be held inthis position by the periphery of said sleeve, a spring operating said rod forward when its head 1s released vided with two fixed rock arms one of which to 'moveby said sleeve, an intermediate shaft pro- I is connected with said shifting rod while the other is operatively connected-with said driving shaft, :1 pm arranged on one of said 

